Create More Family Time
If you don’t think you have enough family time, remember- creating time is a choice. I encourage you to choose wisely by following these six tips:
1. Discover the power of 15 minutes. You can find at least 15 minutes in your day to spend with your family. It might be cuddle time with your children, or time to read to them or speak with them, or take a walk with your partner, or
cook a meal together. Those 15 minutes with you being fully present with your family really count.
2. Have a weekly family night. Each week schedule a family night—one hour or longer. Start with less time and build up. One family member selects what the family will do. You each take turns. This week you may pick dinner out. Next week your son may choose a family video or your daughter a special family game, or a TV show, or walk, or shop—it really doesn’t matter as long as you all do it together and you don’t break the date. This is quality time to be together and
enjoy each other and an event.
3. Plan a monthly 24-hour recovery day. Plan one day a month where you do no work. You don’t think about work, talk about work, or do work— no cell phone, pager, email, or paperwork—nothing work related. Simply spend the day with your family. You don’t have to do anything special, just be together and experience being a family. Recovery days are appointments you never break. You’ll be replenished and renewed.
4. Share positive aspects. At dinner time, or any together time, share things you appreciate about each family member. Tell the others what you appreciate. Be focused on what is working and what is good about each person. Really feel how much you appreciate them and how joyful you are for who they are. This is a great way to feel connected, appreciated, and to amp up your energy and love.
5. Lunch and listen. Make a lunch date with your partner or your kids or both and grab a bite together. Catch up, and really tune in deeply and listen with your heart to what they have to say. Focus on them and on hearing them and learning more about them. You’ll feel closer.
6. Make family a priority. If it were your last day on earth, what would you do? Be with your loved ones. Plan to be with your family and plan your time. Ask yourself “What am I missing?” Add that to your life. Make your family a first priority, and think about what you can gain from your time.
